The Ethical Society is a congregation of members who are joined together by a common commitment to improving human relations and by a desire for a more meaningful and humane life themselves and all others. The Society is a religious and educational fellowship based on the premise that the central issues of religion are matters of ethical concern. We are oriented to the ethical education of ourselves and the community and of service. While we may discuss matters of theology, we take no position regarding the existence or non-existence of a God. We have no authoritarian doctrine, no "holy books."
Legally, in the United States, Ethical Culture is a religion. What is a religion? Many people think a religion means only a duty-centered belief system. We hold that religion may mean a dedication to our highest ethical ideals. In this sense Ethical Culture may be called a religion. The renowned theologian, Paul Tillich, called religion "ultimate concern." We are ultimately concerned with the ethical growth of ourselves and our community, our behavior and the fate of humankind.
An Ethical Society is a congregation in some ways like a synagogue, a church or mosque. We seek to comfort one another and celebrate with one another the passages of life. We strive to lead a meaningful life and to give succeeding generations whatever gift of wisdom we have inherited and discovered. We do not, however, base our institutional life on a common history, a common nationality, or a commonly accepted creed or dogma.
We are committed to treating all human beings as possessing intrinsic worth independent of our evaluation of their productivity, usefulness or conformity. We believe that as we strive to bring out the best in others we bring out the best in ourselves.
We use lesson plans from the American Ethical Union, a federation of Ethical Societies in the United States, and sometimes from other liberal religious groups. At younger ages we concentrate on teaching fairness and sharing and "getting along" peacefully. At later ages we teach the use of critical thinking and the acceptance of personal responsibility. With teenagers we discuss comparative religions and the need to respect differences in people.
The Society is a democratically governed organization. An elected Board of Trustees conducts the Society's month to month business. The Leader is chosen by the membership of the Society. The Society is funded through the pledges and contributions of members, and members approve the annual budget. Voluntary committees serve the Society members by organizing and implementing projects and the day-to-day activities of the Society.
Occasionally someone wants to have dual membership in the Society and in another religious organization. Sometimes to express solidarity with a commitment of parents or spouse, or for some other reason. Although usually people think of the Ethical Society as their primary spiritual home, we accept these dual arrangements. Our fellowship is not based on the renunciation of other connections, but rather on the growth of ethical responsibility in all the complexity of our relationships.
The Los Angeles Society was founded in 1945 by Dr. Arthur Briggs, a leader in the American Ethical Union. It evolved in several stages with several leaders. The leader at present is Dr. Gerald A. Larue, Professor Emeritus of Biblical History and Archaeology at the University of Southern California, Adjunct Professor of Gerontology at U.S.C., Chairman of the Committee for the Scientific Examination of Religion and faculty member of the Institute for Inquiry. All Ethical Societies are descendants of the New York Society for Ethical Culture which was founded by Felix Adler and others in 1876. Adler envisioned that ethics was the common ground among all religions and among well-meaning people who did not think of themselves as religious. Ethical Culture meant to him, as it does to us today, the 'cultivation of ethics.' Ethical Societies communicate and support each other today through the American Ethical Union (AEU). The AEU is part of the International Humanist and Ethical Union (founded in 1952).
We have no standard dues, but rather we distribute guidelines for membership pledges and leave it to the individual to determine what he or she ought to contribute. Most members are very generous. Since our Los Angeles Society must remit annually to the American Ethical Union for each member, we do have a minimum annual dues requirement of $45 per person. The Ethical Society also encourages members to financially support other organizations which express their values. The Leaders of Ethical Societies encourage a total of 10% giving to both the ethical Society and other organizations in this region.
Ethical Leaders are our equivalent of clergy. Leaders present Sunday morning platform addresses, adult education programs to inspire and challenge. Leaders perform pastoral duties including counseling, teaching, and officiating at life passage ceremonies including weddings, memorials, and baby namings. Weddings performed by Ethical Leaders have legal standing as religious ceremonies. The leaders also provide guidance to the Society's Board and committees and help set the "religious tone" of the Society. The leaders also represent the Society in other forums in the larger community. They are certified by the American Ethical Union.
The programs of ECSLA are open to the public. Many non-members have been married by Ethical Society leaders, and occasionally a memorial service is held for non-members. We welcome visitors and urge people who are thinking of membership to get to know us as well.
After you have visited us, signed the guest list and have decided that you want to become a member of the Society, you complete an application for membership. You give the completed application to a member of the Membership Committee or to the President. Your application will then be presented to the Board for approval at its next meeting. The Ethical Society is a cooperative community, supported by volunteer effort and financial contribution of members. Members contribute generously, as they are able, to support the Society. Members also contribute their time and efforts, as they are able, to the volunteer committees and projects of the Society.
or to be added to the newsletter mailing list, contact ECSLA by email, by ordinary mail, or telephone (818) 784-9107. If you attend our meetings and sign the guest list, you will be placed on our mailing list for 3 months. An annual subscription to the newsletter (5 issues) is $5.00